EVAN WILLIAMS BOURBON TOASTS AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY WITH OFFICIALLY LICENSED AMERICA250 COMMEMORATIVE RELEASES

Limited-edition offerings honor the shared legacy of America’s founding and Kentucky’s first licensed distiller

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (May 18, 2026) — Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the world’s #1 American-owned bourbon, proudly announces a new series of officially licensed America250 commemorative products in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. Arriving on shelves beginning May 2026, these special releases invite consumers to raise a glass ahead of the nation’s historic Semiquincentennial milestone in July.

Rooted deeply in American history, Evan Williams’ story has long run in parallel with that of the nation itself. In 1783 – the same year the United States formalized its independence at the end of the Revolutionary War – Evan Williams became Kentucky’s first licensed distiller.

“Evan Williams has always been intertwined with American history,” said Max Shapira, Executive Chairman of Heaven Hill Brands. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation, we are honored to celebrate this historic moment with a collection that reflects the spirit, perseverance, and craftsmanship that define both our country and our bourbon. These special releases are a tribute to where we’ve been and a toast to the future.”

The America250 lineup includes three expressions of Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, each crafted to commemorate this once-in-a-generation occasion:

• Evan Williams Black Label (86 proof) – Available in 1.75L ($24.99)
• Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch (90 proof) – Available in 1.75L ($37.99) and 750ml ($23.99)
• Evan Williams Single Barrel (117.76 proof) – A special higher-proof release with a limited selection of 250 barrels ($39.99)

Each bottle features patriotic packaging and storytelling that underscores Evan Williams’ enduring connection to America’s founding. The Black Label and 1783 Small Batch bottles, in particular, bring this heritage to life by highlighting the brand’s origins and its enduring commitment to American values. The Single Barrel expression is hand-dipped in blue wax to match the coordinating blues in the bottle’s depiction of the Statue of Liberty. From its founding to today, Evan Williams stands for American craftsmanship and pride and will raise a glass in the same enduring spirit that built the country as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.

In addition to honoring history, Evan Williams will continue its more than 10 years of ongoing partnership with veteran causes across the country. The brand is proud to announce a new partnership with the non-profit Folds of Honor, and a $75,000 donation to provide educational scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and first responders.

“America250 is proud to collaborate with iconic American brands like Evan Williams that embody the heritage and values we seek to celebrate,” said Jen Condon, Executive Vice President of America250. “This partnership helps bring the Semiquincentennial to life for consumers across the country, inspiring reflection, pride, and participation in this historic moment.”

With the rallying call to “Toast to 250 years with the #1 American-owned bourbon,” Evan Williams invites consumers nationwide to join in celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial by honoring the past, embracing the present, and looking ahead to the next 250 years.

ABOUT EVAN WILLIAMS: The flagship Bourbon of Heaven Hill Distillery, Evan Williams is among the leaders in the American Whiskey segment as the world’s second largest-selling Bourbon. In 1783, the brand’s namesake opened Kentucky’s First Distillery on the banks of the Ohio River. Many years and barrels later, Evan Williams Bourbon is still produced the right way, using the same time-honored methods. As an American-made and American-owned brand, Evan Williams is committed to honoring and supporting those who have served our country. For more than a decade, the brand has contributed over $750,000 to initiatives that benefit veterans, helping provide resources, recognition, and support to those who have demonstrated exceptional service and sacrifice. In 2024, the brand debuted ‘Evan Williams Bourbon Nation’ to celebrate college athletics through a partnership with Learfield making Kentucky’s 1st Distiller Game Day’s #1 Pour. The multi-year deal currently includes powerhouse teams at University of Florida, Syracuse University, TCU, Ohio State University, University of Alabama, the University of Oregon, University of South Carolina, and the University of Oklahoma. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams through an immersive visitor’s center experience which brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit as an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Learn more at www.EvanWilliams.com.

The Quiet Splendor of Komagatake
Mars Komagatake 7 Year Old K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel #3740 Japanese Single Malt Whisky (700ml) ($179.99)
“An absolute winner by any measure that feels like a rapturous eye-opener to the potential of this wonderful little mountain distillery.” —David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Mars Shuzo is the quiet giant of Japanese whisky. The best kept secret in the whisky world are the two exceptional distilleries, Komagatake and Tsunuki. While both have been available on occasion in single malt form, they are almost never seen in the US as single casks, and typically a single barrel of either commands a significant premium. The company can trace its roots to the origins of Japanese whisky through their founder, Kiichiro Iwai. Just like Suntory, Hombo Shuzo was there from the start. It was in fact Iwai who enlisted Masataka Taketsuru to travel to Scotland in order to learn the age old techniques for making the worlds most complex whisky. Upon his return, Hombo was not able to construct the distillery, so Taketsuru-san took the plans to Suntory.

But in 1949, Kiichiro Iwai would complete his dream of building pot stills and distilling Hombos own malt whisky. And while Iwai-san represents one of the three pillars of Japanese whisky, their modern commitment to the category rests squarely on the shoulders of one great man, Kazuto Hombo. Hombo-san is a true lover of the finer things, and his love of whisky kept the wonderful old stills running. His belief that Japanese whisky would one day be a worldwide success is singularly connected to the construction of the Nagano plant where the original stills were moved, and while Hombo-san was ahead of his time, the plant would see very little production over the next 30 years. He was ready when the whisky boom began and production restarted in 2014.

Now Komagatake is making some of the world’s best whisky. Stylistically, the distillery offers an elegant and refined malt, but this single cask is truly superb. Peated to 20 ppm, you might expect something very smoky and forward, but instead you have an elegant, ultra complex expression of malt that is on par with the very finest available anywhere. Let’s dive in! One of the old single casks out there. The color is a shimmering yellow gold (0.5). The nose is an explosive mixture of maritime flavors and sweet orchard fruit: oyster shell, yuzu peel, galangal, creosote, white ash, pear preserves, licorice root, salted grilled lemons, and lanolin. The palate is razor sharp and chiseled, with a big citrus note and a strong saline character up front, followed by similar white ashy smoke, which does not dominate whatsoever the fresh, juicy fruit: greengage, apricot, green grapes. It absolutely adores water, softening the smoke and reminding me of a well matured, less tarry style Caol Ila. An absolute winner by any measure that feels like a rapturous eye-opener to the potential of this wonderful little mountain distillery.

— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Mars Komagatake 7 Year Old K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel #3740 Japanese Single Malt Whisky (700ml) ($179.99)

This singular cask from Mars Komagatake offers a direct link to the origins of Japanese whisky and one of the category’s most important pioneering producers. Crafted by Hombo Shuzo, a family owned company founded in 1872, Mars traces its whisky lineage to the earliest era of malt distillation in Japan, long before Japanese whisky achieved global acclaim. Hombo was among the first producers to seriously pursue domestic malt whisky, helping establish the foundation of what would become a national tradition. The Komagatake distillery was founded in 1985 high in the Japanese Alps of Nagano, chosen for its pristine mountain water, cool climate, and dramatic seasonal temperature swings. These conditions proved ideal for maturation, allowing whiskies to develop remarkable depth and structure even at younger ages.

Like much of the industry, Komagatake experienced periods of dormancy during market downturns, but its revival in 2011 marked a pivotal moment in the modern resurgence of Japanese whisky. Today, Komagatake is widely regarded as the spiritual and technical heart of Mars, producing some of the most authentic and characterful single malts in the country. This single cask, bottled exclusively for K&L at natural cask strength and limited to just 160 bottles, is not only exceptionally rare but historically significant. As the very first Komagatake barrel selection in K&L’s history, it stands among the finest examples of Japanese whisky available anywhere in the world.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

The GlenAllachie adds to Masters of Wood series with Ex-Solera Sherry cask matured single malt

The GlenAllachie Distillery has unveiled the latest release in its award-winning Masters of Wood Series, a 19-year-old Ex-Solera Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt Whisky that celebrates exceptionally rare casks and long-term wood character.

The Masters of Wood Series showcases the influence of The GlenAllachie’s most unusual and scarce wood stocks. The series debuted in 2024 with a 17-year-old Mizunara Virgin Oak and Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured expression, which went on to be named Best Scotch Speyside Single Malt aged 13 to 20 years at the World Whiskies Awards 2026.

The second edition of the series, The GlenAllachie Masters of Wood 19-year-old Ex-Solera Sherry Cask Matured is a luxuriously complex single malt. Notes of brandied plums, mocha, cinnamon and dark cherries are woven through with ginger and The GlenAllachie’s signature heather honey, revealing a whisky of remarkable depth and a viscous, velvety texture.

In creating this expression, Master Distiller Billy Walker selected a small number of vintage casks that had previously held Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry as part of their respective traditional solera ageing systems for more than 55 years, before being filled with The GlenAllachie spirit. Solera casks are an important part of a bodega’s operation and are seldom removed from the system, making them extremely difficult to acquire.

The solera method gradually blends younger and older sherries over many years, creating consistency and depth of flavour. Over five and a half decades of sherry maturation within this system, these casks absorbed intense layers of sherry character, developing notes of dried fruit and spice that remain within the oak. This depth of sherry influence continually shaped The GlenAllachie whisky during maturation, with slow oxidation occurring in parallel.

Master Distiller at The GlenAllachie, Billy Walker, commented:

“These are casks that already carried over half a century of sherry history before interacting with our spirit. You are working with time, memory and a structure that has been quietly evolving for decades.

“Over fifty years of experience in this industry has taught me where to look for casks of real distinction – from partners who, like us, refuse to compromise. The relationships built on that shared philosophy have given me the opportunity to work with some of the most intriguing and remarkable casks. This Masters of Wood release is one of the very finest examples of cask influence and stands among the most special projects of my career.”

The 19-year-old whisky developed notes of vanilla, caramel, honey, coconut and gentle spice from its initial maturation in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, before being transferred into the ex-solera sherry casks for secondary maturation. The Pedro Ximénez casks bring layers of fig, raisin and dark molasses sweetness, while the Oloroso casks add drier notes of walnut, dark chocolate and warming spice.

The packaging references the solera system through hand-illustrated detailing on the outer box, which is presented in a deep merlot tone intended to reflect the whisky’s natural hue development in cask.

Bottled at 50% ABV, with natural colour and without chill filtration, this release showcases The GlenAllachie’s signature sherried Speyside character, elevated through exceptional vintage casks and unparalleled wood management.

The GlenAllachie Masters of Wood: 19-year-old Ex-Solera Sherry Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky is available now from The GlenAllachie Distillery and online at  www.glenallachie.com with a UK RRP of £224.99. It will become available globally in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit www.theglenallachie.com.

About The GlenAllachie Masters of Wood Ex-Solera Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt

ABV: 50%
RRP £224.99
Natural colour and non-chill filtered

Tasting notes:
COLOUR: Intense Mahogany.

NOSE: Brandied plum, intense mocha and honeycomb, with caramel snaps, molasses tart and rich cocoa.

TASTE: Plum syrup, treacle and warmed heather honey, followed by black cherries, mocha and brandied orchard fruits, with crystalised cinnamon and ginger.

About The GlenAllachie Distillery

One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts over a half-century’s tenure in whisky. With 16 on-site warehouses holding over 50,000 casks, The GlenAllachie Distillery have complete control of the end-to-end maturation process.

Since re-emerging under independent ownership in 2017, The GlenAllachie has made bold, strategic choices rooted in flavour integrity over volume. By fine-tuning fermentation practices, streamlining production, and investing heavily in cask management, the distillery has cultivated a house style renowned for depth, complexity, and individuality.

Beyond the stillhouse, The GlenAllachie’s influence continues to grow, with high-profile and innovative releases such as The Sinteis Series, and age-stated limited editions earning global acclaim. The distillery’s commitment to transparency – bottling at natural colour, non-chill filtered, and often at cask strength – underscores its dedication to the discerning whisky drinker.

Prioritising the production of quality spirit, the GlenAllachie Distillery chose to reduce its production capacity from four million to around one million litres of alcohol and increase its fermentation period to 160 hours – almost three times the industry standard – for an ester-rich, fruity spirit.

The GlenAllachie also maintains a strong focus on sustainability and provenance, with local sourcing and traditional methods guiding much of its ethos. Supported by the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (SIETF), a state-of-the-art Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) system was installed at the distillery to capture and recycle waste heat from distillation, using it to reheat the stills. The result is a distillery that not only honours Scotch whisky heritage but actively shapes its future.

About Billy Walker
With a career spanning over 50 years, Billy Walker is a legendary figure in the Scotch whisky industry, renowned for his transformative leadership of distilleries like Benriach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh. Celebrated for his innovative use of casks and unwavering commitment to quality, he is now the owner and Master Distiller at The GlenAllachie.

Under his stewardship, the company has achieved widespread acclaim. Among its many accolades, The GlenAllachie has claimed ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards twice – in 2021 for the 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 4, and in 2025 for the 12-year-old.

It’s from this incredible record of success that Billy has cemented his reputation as one of the most prominent whisky figures of his generation.

We are delighted to announce the release of our Hearts and Crafts Madeira Single Malt Whisky (54% ABV) – the seventh expression in our annual Hearts and Crafts series.  This series celebrates the Arts & Crafts movement, which flourished in the Cotswolds in the late 19th century and stood for the importance of traditional craftsmanship – the same values upon which our rural distillery was built.

For this limited-edition release, our single malt whisky has matured in hand-selected Madeira casks and is non-chill filtered, delivering a rich, full-bodied flavour profile with notes of sweet fruits and toasted spices. The liquid has a striking garnet rose tint, hinting at the rich fruit-forward wood that shaped it.

Bottles are on sale in our three Cotswolds stores and to all customers via our website.  Once they’re gone, this release will not be repeated. *Free UK shipping on all orders over £50 – automatically applied at checkout. Please order before Weds 17th June for guaranteed delivery in time for Father’s Day.

BUY HERE

BIG PEAT

The World Football Edition

The tournament kicks off Thursday – and Peat’s bringing the smoke. We’re marking the occasion with the Big Peat World Football Edition. Same wild Islay spirit, same untamed smoke, just dressed for the big one. Whether you’re locked in for every group game or only surfacing for the knockouts, Peat’s pouring. Big, briny, bonfire-on-the-beach Islay character in every glass – the ideal companion to ninety minutes, extra time, penalties and the lot. This is a strictly limited release. Once it’s gone, the party’s over.

SHOP THE WORLD FOOTBALL EDITION

SCOTLAND’S FIRST WORLD CUP IN 28 YEARS INSPIRES 11-BOTTLE WHISKY RELEASE

Falkland, Fife, Scotland – June 2026; Scotland’s return to the FIFA World Cup has inspired one of the country’s most unique whisky releases, with Saltire Rare Malt unveiling just 11 bottles of a 24-Year-Old Ben Nevis Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled in 1998 – the last year the national team graced football’s biggest stage.

Priced at £350 each, the specially designed collection, titled “Ooooohhh, Yes Sir, I can Boogie!”, has been released online in a run of just 11 bottles, paying tribute to Scotland’s starting XI as the nation prepares for its long-awaited World Cup return.

Matured for 24 years in a refill bourbon hogshead, the rare Ben Nevis single malt is one of Saltire Rare Malt’s most exclusive releases to date. Available from 14th June, the bottling brings together Scotland’s rich whisky heritage and a memorable chapter in the nation’s football history.

Commenting on the release, Saltire Rare Malt Co-Founder & Director Keith Rennie said: “Scotland’s return to the World Cup is a moment worth celebrating and we’re delighted to mark it with a truly unique bottling. At Saltire Rare Malt, whisky is all about stories, and opportunities like this don’t come around very often. To release a whisky distilled in 1998 – the last time Scotland reached the World Cup – feels incredibly special. 

“It’s a celebration of Scotland, a celebration of whisky and a celebration of a moment supporters have waited a generation to see. Whether it’s kept as a collector’s item or opened to toast Scotland’s return to football’s biggest stage, we hope it becomes part of a memory that lasts for years to come.” 

Saltire Rare Malt are bottlers of a unique range of limited-run single malt whiskies. The independent bottling company was born from a longstanding partnership between friends and founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie – the pair have collected fine and rare single malts for more than three decades.

Launching just days before Father’s Day, the release is expected to prove popular with whisky and football fans alike as well as those looking for a truly memorable gift. Whether destined for a collector’s cabinet, gifted to a lifelong Scotland fan or opened as Scotland kicks off its World Cup campaign, the bottling offers a rare opportunity to raise a dram to one of the most anticipated moments in modern Scottish football history.

Founded in Falkland, Fife, Saltire Rare Malt specialises in rare and limited-run Scotch whiskies sourced from some of Scotland’s most revered distilleries. The company has built a growing reputation for highly curated single cask releases and historically significant bottlings, with whisky lovers and collectors purchasing releases across the UK and internationally.

Working in collaboration with internationally acclaimed whisky experts Hans and Becky Offringa – known globally as ‘The Whisky Couple’ – Saltire Rare Malt carefully curates a collection of rare, limited-edition Scotch whiskies for enthusiasts and collectors around the world.

The Saltire Rare Malt World Cup Release is available exclusively online at: www.saltireraremalt.com

About Saltire Rare Malt Whisky

Saltire Rare Malt are bottlers of a unique range of limited-run single malt whiskies. The independent bottling company was born from a longstanding partnership between friends & founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie – the pair have collected fine and rare single malts over three decades. A shared passion for the ‘water of life’ led to the creation of Saltire Rare Malt – a global vehicle to share their outstanding collection of Single Malt Whiskies.

W: https://www.saltireraremalt.com/

Dumbarton 25 Year Old 2000 Unicorn for TWB

£79.00 GBP

Dumbarton 25 Year Old 2000 Unicorn is a rare and characterful Lowland single grain Scotch whisky, distilled at the now-closed Dumbarton Distillery and bottled exclusively for The Whisky Barrel as part of the highly collectible Unicorn Series. Distilled in 2000 and matured in a first fill Oloroso sherry hogshead (#TWB1043), this exceptional single cask was bottled in 2026 at a natural 56.6% ABV, yielding just 259 bottles.

As stocks from Dumbarton continue to diminish, releases like this offer a unique opportunity to experience whisky from one of Scotland’s lost distilleries. The first fill Oloroso cask brings depth and richness, layering the whisky with notes of dried fruits, chocolate, and warming spice, while the long maturation enhances the smooth, creamy character typical of well-aged grain whisky.

The Unicorn Series label pays tribute to Dumbarton’s most famous guardians—the legendary “Scotch Watch” geese. These Chinese white geese famously protected the distillery’s bonded warehouses from 1959 until 2012, becoming an enduring symbol of Dumbarton’s history and folklore.

• 25 year old Lowland single grain Scotch whisky from the closed Dumbarton Distillery
• Matured in a first fill Oloroso sherry hogshead (#TWB1043)
• Distilled 2000, bottled 2026 at 56.6% ABV (cask strength)
• Limited to 259 bottles
• Exclusive to The Whisky Barrel Unicorn Series
• Label celebrates the iconic “Scotch Watch” geese
• Sister cask to a previous Unicorn Series Dumbarton release

The Dumbarton 25 Year Old 2000 Unicorn is a beautifully matured and highly collectible single grain whisky, combining rich sherry cask influence with the smooth elegance of long-aged grain spirit. With its fascinating backstory and exceptional flavour, it’s a standout release for collectors and whisky enthusiasts alike

Out now: Your latest edition of Whisky Magazine

This latest edition of Whisky Magazine explores the exciting themes of travelling. Firstly, we’ve put a spotlight on the magnificent whisky industry of Oceania. Whether it’s the incredible Tasmanian trailblazers who are producing genuinely world-class liquid, or the snowy valley of Cardrona in New Zealand, there’s so much to be discovered.

Elsewhere, we’re exploring the different ways whisky travels, whether through international bottlings celebrating global events, spirit maturing on the open seas, or sampling the hospitality of a new city in our bar guides.

It’s a wide and wonderful whisky world out there — dive in with us!

Bradley Weir, Whisky Magazine editor

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Your regular guide to distillery news, whisky tastings, interviews, and more.

12 YEAR OLD

70cl · 46% ABV

Laphroaig 12 Year Old Single Malt is a rich and distinctive Scotch whisky crafted on the wild shores of Islay, celebrated for its powerful smoky character and coastal influence. Matured in carefully selected American oak barrels, this expression adds a unique depth and complexity to Laphroaig’s iconic peated style, delivering a beautifully balanced and memorable dram.

NOSE:

Sea salt, seaweed, stewed green apple and heather honey with a slight rhubarb tang. Behind this can be found pleasing and mellow notes of vanilla, crusty pastry, hazelnut, dried orange peel, hints of ginger, lemongrass, and intermingling through it all are phenolic, tarry peat embers.

PALATE:

Carbolic soap intertwined with salt encrusted seaweed, smouldering campfires, blackcurrant, hints of stone fruit, thyme, liquorice root, aniseed and herbal thyme.

FINISH:

Sweet and powerful, with savoury notes leading to iodine and oily mackerel complexity.

From Islay to the world, the 12-Year-Old from Laphroaig is created for curious characters. It is a whisky for free spirits who aren’t content to sit still, and who won’t rest until they’ve tasted the rewards of a life well travelled. For those not content to stick with what they know, this is an outstanding Islay single malt to begin a new journey — a tantalising taste of its wind-swept home.

With no chill-filtration or added colour, this is the real deal done the Laphroaig way: complete with its unmistakably smoky style, and with a twist that takes things beyond the ordinary. Matured in ex-bourbon American oak barrels, carefully selected for the task, it offers a flavour that is as fresh as it is classic. This 12-Year-Old single malt presents a tasting profile for the curious, grounded in the traditions and character refined over generations on Islay. It begins on a rugged stretch of coastline — where it goes from there is entirely up to the drinker.

Big Peat Fèis Ìle 2026

PEDRO XIMÉNEZ SHERRY CASKS

Exclusive access to a bottle hand-signed by Fred and Cara Laing.

Crafted to mark the 40th Anniversary of Fèis Ìle, this limited edition brings together “his” classic marriage of Islay Single Malts in a release that honours the island, its spirit and its global Whisky community. Big Peat’s unmistakable smoky style is enriched through finishing in exceptional Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, adding layers of indulgent sweetness, depth and complexity. Each bottle hand signed by Fred and Cara Laing.

ELEVATED THROUGH PEDRO XIMÉNEZ SHERRY CASKS.

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